Differences between IQ and EQ

IQ is the measure of a persons intellectual ability. Commonly misconcieved as a measure of how smart a person is, IQ actually relates to a persons ability to:

• Use logic to solve problems.
• Plan and implement strategy.
• Understand abstract ideas.
• Learn from and adapt to change.
• Grasp and use language.

EQ generally refers to how well you sense emotion in yourself and also other people. It impacts how you communicate with other people and the world around you. People with a higher EQ may find it easier to:

• Identify emotions within themselves and the emotions of the people around them.
• Show empathy, this is because they have an awareness of how other people are feeling and understand when to show empathy.
• Adapt feelings and behaviour to different situations.
• Be less impulsive. People who understand their own emotions better are more likely to understand what situations to put themselves in so as to not be impulsive.
• Withstand temptations and delay gratification. This relates directly to being less impulsive as giving in to temptation is to be more impulsive.
• Resolve conflicts. Higher EQ means you will generally have a greater grasp on how people are feeling in different scenarios which can tailor responses to aid in conflict resolution.
• Communicate effectively. People with a higher EQ can garner how to better communicate with people as they better understand how that person is feeling.

My understanding of Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence to me boils down to a few small things. I think it's about how well you understand how other people feel in any situation.
People with a higher EQ are better able to communicate in the world as they can put themselves in the shoes of other people and be empathetic.
I also think it's about understanding yourself and how you yourself understand, process and express your feelings.
It is an essential skill for building relationships with other people, understanding yourself and what your needs are and to deal with stress.